Indicator for electric cooking ranges



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R. G. SHEIDLER INDICATOR FOR ELECTRIC COOKING RANGES Flled Feb 27 1950 Aug. 19, 1952 R. a. SHEIDLER INDICATOR FOR ELECTRIC COOKING RANGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2'7, 1950 INVENTQR. Fob. em 6. Shad/er z rf 6%. #7 5m I Filed Feb. 27, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Au 19, 1952 R. G. SHEIDLER 2,607,873

INDICATOR FOR ELECTRIC COOKING RANGES 39 INVENTOR. 50 56/7 GS/veuZ/er Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IN fiICA'l-OR FOR ELECTRIC COK jKIBTG RANGES Robert G. Sheidler, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to The Tappan stoveCompanm Mansfield, Ohio, a corporation of-Ohio Application February'fll, 1950,'Serial-No. 146,453

4 Claims.

This invention relates to indicatorsior electric cooking ranges by which one'can tell-at a glance the condition of an electric heating unit therein. The subject {matter of the'present application is related to-thatof'my copendingapplicati on, Serial No. 168,756 filed May 23, 1950, and also to that of my'copendin'g application -l53,654-fi-led April 3, 1950.

Standard electric heating units for cooking rangesgenerally'comprise a pair of concentrically arranged resistance elements which are adapted to beenergiZedeither in conjunction with each other or independently of each other invarying degree in order togenerate difierent amounts of heati Theenerg-ization of the'resistance elements is' =c'ontrolled-" by a suitable switch.

The" embodiment of" my invention disclosed herein is-sho'wn anddescribed inconnection with aheating-unit having two concentrically arranged standard resistance -heatin-g elements which are adapted to-he connected by a--sta-ndard switch to athr'ee wire 220' volt transmission systems The switch is arranged to selectively supply current to the resistance elements-at either 22001 110 volts. The two elements may be simultaneously connected to the transmission system or either onea-lon'emay lee-connected thereto. For the purpose- 0f illustration I have shown a heating unit having an outer heating element, which will produce qflll watts at'220 volts, andaninnerheating I mnts,are simultaneously energized in parallel at 220*volts the uriitwill produce 1-200 wattsg and when the elements are simultaneously energized at 110' volts-"in parallel the unit willproduce 300 watts. 'When' the outer element alone is energized the unitwill produce-"700' watts at 220 volts and -1"l5=wattsatl l o -voltsyand when the inner element alone is energized the unit willproduee SGC' Watts' at 220-volt's and l wa-tts at 110 volts. Whenthe outer andinner elements are simultaneously energized in series at 1-10 volts the-unit will produce 75 watts. From this it willbeseen that the u-nit may 'be selectively set by the switch to produce either 1200 watts, 700 watts, 500 watts, 300 Watts; 175 watts, 125 Watts or 75 watts. Genoral-1y when cooking the heating unit'is' substantia'llyyjcov'eredby the cooking utensil. Consequentlyvonegcannotsee the heating elements to tell how they are energized. Furthermore even Whentheelerrients are exposed to view'it is not always possible '"to tell by looking at themjust 2 which elementis energized and-how it is energized especially at volts. Therefore I providea visual-indicator by {which one can tell at a glance the exact condition of a heating unit. For the most efficient and economical operation of a heating unitin an electriccooking range it is not only necessary for one-to know whether a heating unit is eneratinghigh, medium or low etc. heat'but it is also very essential that one know/"whichv element or elementsof a two element heating unit isenergized and to what degree. In cooking it is generally customary to first'set a heating unit at its highest heat generating capacity to "quickly heat food up to the proper cooking temperature and then set the unit'for a lower heat which is just su'fiici'ent to maintain the food at the'proiier cooking temperature For instance in boiling vegetables or other food the-heating unit is first set ior a high heat-and as soon as the water commenc'es =to boil' the unit is set for a lower "heat which is "just suificient to keep the water boiling. But the highest heat generating capacity of the unit "in many instances may no't 'be'the proper setting 'for' efficiently and economically quickly raising food to cooking temperature. Using the two element heating unit described herein, -in warmers inner and o'iiterelements t'ogethe 'r' gen state the highest heat, the outer element alone the second highest heat and the innenelernent alone the third highest heat, let-usas"s'ii-me 'tliat one wantsto boil food in a utensil which covers only thednner hea tingelement. Under this con daion the mner element alone should be energized for initially bringing'the water to boiling temperature. If 'bothelenients were energized the heat fro'm the outer element wouldbe completely wasted,'passing up'around the outside-of the utensil and heating only the "handle thereof. It the outer element alone was energizecl'pratically all of the heat would be lost and none applied to the utensil and the contents thereof; whereas with the inner element alone all of the heatge'n eratedtherehy' would beap'plied to the utensil thereoverwithout any loss. Andth'ere are mahy other occasions during cooking-when 'it is ess'en tial for -bes't results to know which el'eine'fit-oi elements is energized and to what degree, instead of'nierely knowing that a unit'is setto generate high; medium snow etc. heat.

My improves indicator comprises a transmcent disc which is mounted axially thereof on theories! ating stem of the control switch for rotation therewith. On this disc are eight equally seaeed stations arrarigedin an annular row-about trie switch stem; These stations are adapted to be on the disc as the stations are selectively brought into position to be visible through the window. In the designs simulating the heating elements I use four different colors to indicate different conditions of the heating unit and the heating elements therein, preferably red, orange, yellow and black. Red indicates that 220 volts is applied in parallel to an element or elements; orange indicates that 110 volts is applied in parallel to an element or elements; yellow is used to indicate that 110 volts is applied in series to the two elements of the unit, and black'indicates that an element is not energized. To illustrate the use of the indicator let us assume that the design visible through the window shows both elements red. This indicates that both elements are energized at 220 volts. If the design shows the outer element red and the inner element black it indicates that the outer element is energized at 220 volts and that the inner element is not energized. Likewise if the design shows the inner element orange and the outer element black it indicates that the inner element is energized at 110 volts and that the outer element is not energized.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a very simple, efficient, inexpensive and ornamental mechanism for visually indicating and controlling the heat generating condition of the inner and outer heating elements of a two element heating unit in a cooking range.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator of this character which is controlled by the operating stem of the heating unit control switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator of this character which comprises a disc having various designs thereon which simulate various different conditions of a two element heating unit.

Other and more limited objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings formin a part thereof wherein:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through a portion of an electric cooking range showing my improved indicator incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing a portion of the indicator disc in section and the connector, by which the disc is removably mounted on the switch operatingstem, in plan; and i Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive, are wiring diagrams diagrammatically showing the various switching connections by which the heating unit is controlled.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral indicates generally an electric cooking range having the top wall 2 and the front wall 3. An electric heating unit 4 having inner and outer concentric standard resistance heating elements 5 and 6 is suitably supported by the top 2 of the range. The energization of the heating elements 5 and 6 is controlled by a switch 1 by which the elements 5 and B are selectively connected to a three wire 220 volt transmission system. The switch 1 which is suitably-secured to a bracket 8 within the range is a seven heat switch of standard well known construction. Consequently it is not illustrated in detail herein. The switch 1 has an operating stem 9 which extends out through an aperture ID in the front wall 3 of the range. The stem 9 has a flattened portion H and has its outer end slotted as indicated at l2. An operating handle l3 having a bore |4 with a flattened portion l5 which engages the flattened portion ll of the stem 9 is removably held by friction upon the outer end of the stem 9. By rotating the switch operating stem 9 by the handle I3 the switch I may be selectively set to energize the resistance elements 5 and 6 as desired.

In order that one may know the setting of the switch 1 and consequently the condition of the heating elements 5 and B of the heating unit 4. I provide visual indicating means which includes a disc I6 of translucent material. The disc l6 comprises a flat inner section II, having a central aperture l8, and an outer annular rearwardly flaring section IS. The disc I6 is removably secured upon the switch operating stem 9 for rotation therewith behind the front wall 3 by a connector 20, to be described in detail hereinafter. In the front wall 3, above the operating handle I3, I provide a rearwardly sloping depressed section 2| having a window 22 therein which is in vertical alignment with the stem 9. A lens 23 is removably secured in the window 22 by a retaining ring 24. An electric bulb 25 is mounted in a socket 26 carried by the bracket 8 in position to project light through the annular flaring section IQ of the disc l6 and the window 22 and lens 23.

On the annular flaring section H! of the disc It I provide an annular row of equally spaced stations which correspond to the different setting of the switch 7. There are eight of these stations, the Off station and seven operating stations, designated A, B, C, D, E, F and G, respectively, in a counterclockwise direction from the off station which is marked Off. At each operating station I have applied a design which consists of two concentric rings 30 and 3| which simulate the inner and outer resistance elements 5 and B of the heating element 4. In order to simulate the condition of the resistance elements I have colored the rings at the various stations using a different arrangement of colors at each station. At station AI have colored both the inner and outer rings 30 and 3| red. At station B I have colored the outer ring 3| red and the inner ring 30 black. At station C I have colored the inner ring 33 red and the outer ring 3| black. At station D I have colored both the inner ring 30 and the outer ring 3| orange. At station E the outer ring 3| is colored orange and the inner ring 30 is colored black. At station F the inner ring 30 is colored orange and the outer ring 3| is colored black; and at station G both rings are colored yellow. As previously stated, I use the color red to indicate that a heating element is energized at 220 volts; the color orange to indicate that a heating element is energized at llllvolts, and the color yellow to indicate that both elements are energized in series at 110 volts.

As the operating stem 9 is rotated by the handle |3 to set the switch 1 to a selected position the corresponding station and design on the disc |6 are brought behind the window 22 in position to be viewed through the lens 23. The electric bulb 25, which is also controlled by the switch 1, will illuminate the design behind the window 22 and make it more clearly visible through the lens 23. The switching arrangement with which station A corresponds is shown in Fig. 5; that to which station B corresponds is shown in Fig. 6; that to which station C corresponds is shown in Fig. '7; that to which station D correspond is shown in Fig. 8; that to which station E corresponds is shown in Fig. 9; that to which station F corresponds is shown in Fig. 10, and that to which station G corresponds is shown in Fig. 11.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive, the switch 1 is shown as having seven terminals as indicated at 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 31 and 38, respectively. The terminal 39 of the outer heating element 6 is connected to the terminal 35 of the switch 1 by the wire 46, and the terminal 4| of the inner heating element 5 is connected to the terminal 31 of the switch by a wire 42. The terminal 43 of the outer heating element 6 and the terminal 44 of the inner heating element 5 are each connected to the terminal 36 of the switch ,1 by the wire 45. The three wires of a 220 volt three wire transmission system are indicated at 46, 41 and 48. Wires 46 and 41 together will supply current at 220 volts, and either of wires 46 or 41 with neutral with 48 will supply current at 110 volts. Transmission wire 46 is connected to the terminal 33 of the switch 1 and the wire 41 is connected to the terminal 34 of the switch 1. The neutral wire 48 is connected to the terminal 32 of the switch. The electric bulb 25 is connected to the terminals 32 and 38 of the switch 1 by the wire 49. Assuming that the outer heating element 6 will produce 700 watts at 220 volts and 175 watts at 110 volts and that the inner heating element 5 will produce 500 watts at 220 volts and 125 watts at 110, the heating unit 4 will produce 1200 watts when the switch 1 is set as shown in Fig. 5. At this setting the terminal 34 is connected to the terminals 31 and 35 by the lines 58 and 5|, and the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 52. Current will then flow from the wire 46 through line 52 and wire 45 to the terminal 44 of the inner element 5 and to the terminal 43 of the outer element 6. After passing through the inner element 5 the current will flow back to the wire 41 from the terminal 4| through the wire 42 and line 50; and after passing through the outer element 6 the current will flow back to the wire 41 from the terminal 39 through the wire 40 and lines 5| and 58. From this it will be seen that both of the elements 5 and 6 are energized in parallel at 220 volts.

Fig. 6 shows the switch 1 set to energize the outer element 6 only at 220 volts. In this setting the terminal 34 is connected to the terminal 35 by the line 53 and the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 54. Current will then flow from the wire 46 through the line 54 and wire 45 to the terminal 43 of the outer element 6, and after passing through the element 6 the current will flow from the terminal 39 back to the wire 41 through the wire 40 and line 53.

Fig. 7 shows the switch 1 set to energize the inner element 5 only at 220 volts. In this setting the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 55, and the terminal 34 is connected to the terminal 31 by the line 56. Current will then flow from the line 46 through the line 55 and wire 45 to the terminal 44 of the inner element 5, and after passing through the element 5 the current will flow from the terminal 4| back to the wire 41 through the wire 42 and line 56.

Fig. 8 shows the switch 1 set to energize the inner and outer elements 5 and 6 in parallel at volts. In this setting the terminal 32 is connected to the terminals 35 and 31 by the lines 52 and 58, and the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 59. Current will then flow from the wire 46 through the line 59 and wire 45 to the terminal 43 of the outer element 6 and to the terminal 44 of the inner element 5. After passing through the outer element 6 the current will flow from the terminal 39 back to the neutral wire 48 through the wire 40 and line 52; and after passing through the inner element 6 the current will flow from the terminal 4| back to the neutral wire 48 through the wire 42 and line 58.

Fig. 9 shows the switch 1 set to energize the outer element 6 at 110 volts. In this setting the terminal 32 is connected to the terminal 35 by the line 66, and the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 6|. Current will then flow from the wire 46 through the line 6| and wire 45 to the terminal 43 of the outer element 6 and after passing through the element 6 the current will flow from the terminal 39 back to ihe neutral Wire 48 through the wire 48 and line Fig. 10 shows the switch 1 set to energize the inner element 5 only at 110 volts. In this setting the terminal 32 is connected to the terminal 31 by the line 62 and the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 36 by the line 63. Current will then flow from the wire 46 through the line 63 and wire 45 to the terminal 44 of the inner element 5, and after passing through the element 5 the current will flow from the terminal 4| back to the neutral wire 48 through the wire 42 and the line 62.

Fig. 11 shows the switch 1 set to energize the inner and outer elements 5 and 6 in series at 110 volts. In this setting the terminal 34 is connected to the terminal 35 by the line 64, and the terminal 32 is connected to the terminal 31 by the line 65. Current will then flow from the wire 41 through the line 64 and wire 48 to the terminal 39 of the outer element 6 and then through the element 6, after which it flows from the terminal 43 of the element 6 through the wire 45 to the terminal 44 of the inner element 5. From the terminal 44 the current flows through the inner element 5 and from the terminal 4| back to the neutral line 48 through the wire 42 and line 65. In all the operative setting of the switch 1 the terminal 33 is connected to the terminal 38 by the line 66 so that the electric light bulb 25 will always be energized whenever the switch is set in an operative position.

Since the disc I6 is mounted on the switch operating stem 9 for rotation therewith and the switch operating stem 9 is rotated by the handle 13 to selectively set the switch in any desired position, the design simulating the various conditions of the heating unit are so arranged upon the disc l6 that the proper design will always be behind the window 22 at any selected setting of the switch. From this is will be seen that egeorgsrs one-cama1wayste11 at a'glance the exacticondb. tionof the heating unit;-

The connecton Zfl-bywhich the -disc i6 is removabl-ymounted uponthe-switch operating stem 9 "is fPll1ed-fr0m asingle -piece-ot spring steel; Iii-comprises an-u-pper leg l0: and alower leg H which are connected together 1 at the dorward endsthereof by the looped portion 1 2 which extends-aboveand below the leg-lfl andl I. l The rear end of v the top leg isturned downwardlyas indicated at-m; and=the-rear end id ot thebottorn-leg-isinclined upwardly and notched -as indicated-at 151 The legs "IS-and 1| have V- shapedresilienttongues -TB- and 11 struclr outwardlytherefrom; and the front of the looped seotion lz -h'as an-aperturel8'therethrough'; The aperture iii 1 is --the 'samediameter as the switch operating; stem 9 and has a I straight portion '59; The tcp of: the looped-section 12 slottedat '80:? Imuse -the connector-is --firstinserted intothe aperture [Sinthe disc lt and then the connector is-monnted-upon-the switch operating "stem 9:: The sidesof the legs iii-and "ll engage the .wall. around the aperture [8 and the looped section 12*engagesthe front of the disclli aboveand below-the aperture l8.- The'tongues 16 and TI resiliently engage; the rear face of thedisc I6 within-the aperture 4 8. In order to prevent turning-of-thedisc lfi upon' the-connector Ell-I pro-.- vide three lugs ii i;- 82 and -83 which are integral with-the-front-'face-ofthe disc i6 and extend outwardly-therefrom. The lug iii-engages the connector i-n-the notch '80 and the lugs 82 and 83 engage the sides of the lower part of the looped section 12. When in position upon the stem. 9 the stem- 9 extends through the aperture '78 with the' straight portion 19 --engaging the flattened section-l I of the-stem.- The down turned rear end 73mithe-topleg lii' engages the flattened section-Hand the shoulder 84 of the stem 9; and the -notch-l5-of the upwardly inclined rear 'end 'M ofthe'leg -ll-straddles the "under side of. the stenr*9.-; This construction'and arrangement provides a very simple'and'efiicient means for removablysecuring the disc [6 in a definite position upon the stem 9 for rotation therewith.

Fromtheforegoing it will be apparent-to those skilled in -this art that l haveprovided a very simple and-eifieientmeans for accomplishing the objectsof -my invention.

Itisto be understood that I am not limited to the -specific constructionshown and described herein asvarious -modificationmay be made therein-within the-spirit of my-invention:

What is claimed is:

l; An -indicatingand control mechanismfor a; cooking range electric heating unit having inner -and outer heating-elementssaid mechanismnomprising .arrctary switch bywhich the ehfi ization' ofrthe; heating elements is selecti /elm; controlled, a manually rotatableswitch actuating stem by which said-switchissset: in ;se.-. lectedlpositions, arrindicator disc mounted upon said ,stem for rotation therewith, a plurality of. dififerent designs arranged in an annularv rowon said disc, each.. of said designs including two concentricicolored rings which simulate the inner and outer-heating elements of a heating unit, each design having a different combination of colorsto simulatedifferent degrees of, jenergization of the inner and outer heating elements. of a--heating "-unit; a fixed index with' which said designs are adaptedto successively register as. Said 'stemds'rOtated; and each oi-said designs visuallyindicating which-element orelements is energized and toslwhatdegree inaccordance withthe setting of said switch when a selected-* design.

is; in registertwith: said index;

2: .Aniindicating and control mechanism: for: a; cooking: ranges electric heating. unit having inner and: outer heating; elements said mecha+ ni-sm; comprising a rotary; switch=by which the energization of 1 the inner and outer heatingle ments' =of -a.1heating unitlis selectively controlled disposed-,behindatheafrontwall ofarange, amanually rotatablee switch. actuating; stem by; which: said switch isqsetain selected positions sen-- tending ,outthrought an. aperture in the front wall ofa; range;- an indicator discs-mounted aupon' saidistem. for rotation-therewith behind the front wall of :a range; a plurality of different designs, arrangedin: an annularrow on said disc saidldesigns. including coloredsrings of difierent diameterseto simulateathe inner and outer heating; elements. :of .-a heatinggunit, a window. inthe front swell of .a .range with. which said :designs are. adapted-to successively register assaid stem is rotated, and :eachv of said designs visually; in:

dicati'ngzwhich element or elementsis energized and to .whatrlegreedn accordanceiwith the. set-i ting -of .saidswitch. when. alselectedhdesignis .in. register with said window.

3. An indicatingandcontrol. mechanism. for. a cooking, rangeelectric... heating. unit 7 having, inner. and outer heating; elements saidlmechae nismcomprisingi a ,rotary switch. by; which .theenergizati'on of the inner .and outer. heating ele-J mentslof a heating-unit. is selectively controlled disposed behind. thecfront wall of. a range,- a manually rotatable-,. switch actuating stem by which. said switch is .set in selectedpositions. ex-.

tending out through. an aperture in the irontrwall of a range, anindicatordi'sc mounteduponsaid. stem forrotation therewith behindthe frontwalli of "a range, a plurality of different de'signsam ranged in .an annularrow on said di'sc, each.of said designs including; two. concentric colored ringswhich simulate the inner and outer heating. elements. of. a heating unit, .each design havinga difierenticombination of colors to simulatedife. ferent degreeslof energizationof theinner and outen'h'eating elements of a heating .unitra window in the front wall of a range with which said-designs are'ad'apted .to suc'essively register as said stem-isgrotatedy and-each of. said designsvisuallyindicating which: element or. elements is. energizedand towhat degree in. accordance with the setting- 0f Said'sWitchLWhen a selecteddesign. is in register with said window;

4;- Anindi'catingand controlmechanism fora cooking range electric heating :unit having inner and outer heating elements said mechanism com-. prisingra rotary switch icy which the energi za. tionof the "heating i elements is selectively con.-. trolled; a manually rotatable .LsWitch actuating stem by-whic'hsaid switch is set in selected posi-v tions, -an-indicator disc mounted upon said .Istem for rotation-therewith; a plurality of. difierent. designs arrangedin an annular row on said "disc, said designs includingnolored rings lofldiiierent diameters-to simulate the inner-and .outerheata ing'elements of a' heating unit, a fixed index .with which -saididesigns are adapted to. successivelit register" as'said stem is. rotated,iandfeach.of said designs visually indicating which. element or ele: ments isenergizedandto whatidegree in.ac.-. cordance with the" setting of i'said- 'switch'. a-selected design" is in register with-said index.

ROBERT GI" SHElIDLERi (References on following page) E; 10 RlflfgBENCES CITED Number .v Name I Date Th following; ferences are of record 1n:the 2'494'892 Mayer 1950 M 2-2:?22: ;'::2:

' E o ngs ay UNITED ST PAI'ENTB 5 2,541,892 Schulze Feb. 13, 1951 Number Na Date OTHER REFERENCES 2,081,827 Lonc May 2 1937 u 2,438.76) Mayhem Man 30. 1948 General Electric pubhcatmn of 1941, Ranges,

2,450,399 Slgeidler Sept.28.19 48 Page 

